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Evidence continues to mount that certain types of sleep behaviors are governed by our genes. Genes typically implicated in circadian sleep disorders are Period (PER1, PER2 and PER3) genes. For those who suffer from Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, one of the culprits is a polymorphism (which means 'genetic variation') of the PER3 gene. This research is not new - here's an excerpt from a study in a 2003 issue of Sleep magazine: "The Per3 polymorphism correlated significantly with extreme diurnal preference, the longer allele associating…

This graph shows the peak cortisol release over a 24-hour period for a "normal" person (you can see it peaks around 8 am). I recently did an at-home cortisol saliva test - I collected samples four times (morning, noon, evening, and at bedtime) throughout the day. Since my sleep is delayed about four hours from a "normal" person, I did my morning sample at 11 am (I usually sleep 3:30-ish to 10:30-ish), my noon sample at 3 pm, my…

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is a condition in which the body’s internal clock is delayed several hours behind what is considered normal. DSPS-ers can sleep normally and follow a consistent sleep schedule – just at a later time (such as 4 am to 11 am). As a circadian rhythm disorder (CRD), DSPS affects other daily rhythms such as those for body temperature, appetite, heart rate and blood pressure. DSPS is genetic; studies have linked it…

About Me

I spent more than two decades believing my “insomnia” was my fault - under the assumption I was too undisciplined, stressed out or anxious to sleep on a “normal” schedule. FINALLY, in my late twenties, I was diagnosed with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome.